To the west are the Bay of Wismar, Salzhaff Bay, the island of Poel and two of the largest and longest-established 19th century Baltic seaside resorts - Boltenhagen and Rerik. There are records of a settlement at Rerik dating back to the time of Charlemagne. The former Hanseatic cities of Stralsund and Greifswald and the islands of Usedom and Rügen are along the Baltic coast of Western Pomerania.
Stralsund, almost 800 years old, is an architectural gem. Its town hall, which has a magnificent gabled façade, is one of the finest secular buildings in northern Germany. Many of Stralsund's town houses date from the 15th and 16th centuries. The former Hanseatic town of Greifswald has - like Stralsund - a number of fine Gothic brick churches. A little to the east of Greifswald are the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Eldena and the fishing village of Wieck. The island of Usedom lies just off the coast at Wolgast. Usedom's beaches are mainly flat - perfect for swimming. On the mainland to the south-west of Usedom - and on the south bank of the river Peene - is Anklam, with its prominent, late-Gothic, stone gate (32 metres).
The river Peene continues to Ueckermünde, Germany's most easterly sea port. Szczecin lagoon is excellent for sailing and angling. Eel caught in the lagoon is a local Pomeranian speciality. The whole of the Baltic coast lends itself to water sports, from kite surfing to wreck diving. It is also a rich hunting ground for collectors of shells, amber and starfish. Visitors can enjoy boat trips, walking, horse riding, golf and cycling, as well as discovering art and places of historical interest.
The Baltic coast also has more than a hint of romance. Many stately homes, grand residences, palaces, manor houses and estates sit in splendour by the sea, on hills and on the islands. Built for kings and their loved ones, they often have parks designed for leisurely strolls. These houses are sometimes open to visitors - beautiful illustrations of the twists, turns and intrigues of the past.